Control

“What do you think you were going to accomplish by beating up your kicker?” Mr. Mallory asked, furry seeping into every word.

“He was calling Ashley a faggot and a fairy!" Aiden seethed. 

“I don’t care if he’s a faggot or not, but if you’re fighting over him I’ll send him back!”  His anger broke finally and he was screaming.  Before either of them really understood what was happening he had slapped his son across the face hard enough to bruise.

“Fuck you,” Aiden spat before storming out.  His mother was in the kitchen, pretending she hadn’t heard everything that had just been said.  He took a moment on the hall to calm himself before knocking on Ashley’s bedroom door.  The door opened to reveal a wide-eyed Ashley.

“Are you okay?” Aiden wondered.

“A-am I okay?” Ashley stuttered.  “You’re the one he hit.”

“You could hear that huh?”  Aiden ran his fingers through his hair anxiously.  There was a long moment of tense silence before they both retreated into the room.

“Are you alright?” Ashley asked, joining Aiden on the edge of his bed and tentatively reaching up to brush his fingers against Aiden’s bruised cheek.

“I’m fine,” Aiden sighed, leaning into the soft touch.

“Do ... does that happen often?”  Aiden only shook his head.  The silence stretched on but it wasn’t uncomfortable.

“You should take your shower, dinner will be done soon,” he said, finally breaking the silence.  There was an awkward moment where Aiden realized that he didn’t quite want to leave.

Dinner that evening was a tense affair.  Mr. Mallory wouldn’t even look at his son and Mrs. Mallory didn’t know what to say to make things better.  Aiden ignored everyone except Ashley who could barely manage to swallow his food.  Only the memory of Aiden’s reprimand allowed him to keep his food down.  After dinner Ashley stayed up to do his homework.   When Aiden stuck his head in to say goodnight he found Ashley asleep at his desk.

“C’mon Ashley,” he said, shaking the boy’s shoulder to rouse him.  “Let me help you into bed.”  Ashley yawned and nodded, letting Aiden help him into bed.  “Good night Ashley.”

 

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So I know it's short but it's the second one tonight so I hope you enjoyed it.  Ashley and Aiden are growing ever closer!!  BTW please let me know if this was at all triggering and I will add a warning at the top of the chapter for future readers.  I didn't think it was that bad but it is not my place to judge what may or may not trigger others.

~Dantae